OBAKENG MELETSE
The Proteas’ ploy to select the extra batsmen could prove to be a master stroke that could lessen a lot of responsibility on the broad shoulders of speedster Kagiso Rabada, as he continues to enhance his reputation as one of the greats to represent South Africa in the format.
At just 29 years old, the Johannesburg-born fast bowler has already picked up a mammoth 294 Test wickets across a career that has spanned 63 matches, and he hot on the heels of both Morne Morkel (309) and Allan Donald (330).
The Proteas went into the first Test match against the West Indies in Trinidad with a side that was heavily stacked with batters. Rabada and Lungi Ngidi were the only two out-and-out fast bowlers, with Wiaan Mulder set to step in with his gentle medium-pacers.
Rabada enjoyed the use of the Duke ball in the rain-interrupted Test match.
He credited much of his success in picking up 110 wickets on foreign soil so far in his career to his ability to keep things simple and bowl in the right areas as some of the reasons why he has picked up 110 wickets in foreign soil so far in his career.
“You just have to bowl it in the right areas,” he said.
“The Duke helps. It does stay a lot harder than the Kooka (Kookaburra), and it also has a thicker seam.
“With all the rain that has been around, the leather that’s on the ball, it kind of helps to preserve it. Other than that, we have tried to change the ball because it changes its shape a few times.
“It’s nothing more than hitting your areas ... The West Indies seamers have been rewarded, too.”
The Proteas new-ball bowler has frequently had an impact early on in Test matches, but the role of the second change has become just as important because it can often determine the course of the match.
Head coach Shukri Conrad has hinted at the possibility of Aiden Markram having a lot more to do than just opening the batting, with his more-than-useful off-spin potentially being put to better use.
Markram and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj had a decent outing in the Test match against the West Indies, and Rabada believes they played a key role in maintaining the balance of the side as well as keeping every bowler fresh for the second new ball.
“When we are bowling at the tail, it’s an opportunity to pick up wickets, especially with the new ball. Keshav and Aiden broke it open on day four.
“Our spinners have done a great job, and we have played a supporting role. But (with the) new ball against the tail, you always have your front-line seamers in pole position.”
For the latest on the first Test between the West Indies and South Africa, visit www.iol.co.za/sport